Texas Rangers

Rising talent

Ranking the top prospects in the Rangers system

The regular season for the Rangers’ six affiliates in the United States quietly ended.

Two clubs, High Desert in the High-A California League and Spokane in the Short-season A Northwest League, reached the playoffs. The six teams overall finished with a .491 winning percentage at 340-352.

The Rangers want to win in the minors, but that is not the paramount concern. They measured the season as a success for the player-development system because of other factors.

The system provided help for the major-league club with players such as infielder Jurickson Profar and outfielder Nomar Mazara.

The system gave general manager Jon Daniels the resources to trade for catcher Jonathan Lucroy and designated hitter-outfielder Carlos Beltran. The Rangers included six minor-leaguers in those deals.

As always, the Rangers put prospects on the fast track. Lefthander Yohander Mendez rose from the California League to the majors. A pair of teenagers, shortstop Anderson Tejeda and center fielder Leody Taveras, played at two levels, reaching the Short season a Northwest League.

The Rangers also addressed a specific need by taking pitchers with seven of their first 11 picks in the amateur draft. The Rangers have included 18 pitchers in trades during the last two seasons.

Pitching coordinator Danny Clark introduced a new system to acclimate the draft picks to the professional game. The success of that program ranked as a season highlight for Daniels.

“One thing I’m excited about is our first-year group’s entry into pro ball,” Daniels said. “We had a big pitching group that our guys did a really good job with as far as getting them into the game.” The season-ending top 10 prospects list, with others to watch:

Biggest gains

Right-hander Pedro Payano, who spent four years in the Dominican Summer League, added velocity to go with a swing-and-miss change-up and had 82 strikeouts in a career-high 73 2/3 innings in the Low-A South Atlantic League. Payano, 21, did not pitch after July 7, when he was hit in the right forearm by a line drive. … Sturdy right-hander Jonathan Hernandez worked 111 1/3 innings in the Sally League at age 19. Hernandez neutralized left-handed hitter with the change-up but needs more velocity. … Josh Morgan started at second, third and shortstop with High-A High Desert. Morgan, 20, understands the strike zone better than most players at his level.

Steepest falls

Left-hander Andrew Faulkner opened the season in the Rangers’ bullpen, but that did not last long. Faulkner, who will turn 24 on Monday, struggled after a demotion to Triple-A Round Rock, allowing 20 walks in 45 1/3 innings. … Right-hander Luke Jackson also had an ineffective stay in the majors before being sent to Double-A Frisco to find the way to throw more strikes. In the Texas League, Jackson allowed 27 hits with 17 walks in 24 1/3 innings. … Third baseman Ti’Quan Forbes had a dynamic debut in 2014, when he was taken with the 59th overall pick in the draft. Forbes, 19, has stalled the last two seasons and had a .642 OPS in the Low-A South Atlantic League this year.

Medical report

Right-hander Michael Matuella made it back from Tommy John surgery only to break down again after one start in the Short-season A Northwest League because of a sprained ligament in the right elbow. It is not a career-threatening injury. … Left-hander Brett Martin was limited by injuries for the second consecutive season. Martin, 21, was able to finish the season with six starts for High-A High Desert. … Right-hander Scott Williams had surgery in July to remove bone chips from the elbow. Williams, 22, is expected to be ready for spring training. He had 37 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings with High-A High Desert.

The top 10 Rangers prospects

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Other notable prospects

A look at other players, including those who have had enough major-league time to lose their rookie status: